Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Angels Fury Caulfield hopes are back in focus this Saturday, with the Ciaron Maher-trained filly set to contest the Sportsbet Race Reviews Handicap over 1100m.
The two-year-old returns to the same track where she disappointed on debut in January’s Blue Diamond Preview, despite being heavily backed after strong jump-out signs.
Her latest test comes during a busy winter racing stretch, with Boniface’s Randwick assignment another key storyline for punters watching progressive horses step up.
Stable Keeps Faith In Filly
Angels Fury was sent out a $1.70 favourite on debut but finished last at Caulfield. The stable later found a few issues, reset her campaign and brought her back successfully in a country two-year-old maiden last month.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said the filly’s home work had always kept the stable confident.
“She’s always been impressive since day one,” Turnbull said.
“To run on debut and run the way she did was very deflating, but at the end of the day we knew we had a young horse that pulled up with a few issues and we were able to reset and come back.”
“All through her training this prep, she has been A-one. It’s been there to see in her jump-outs and that translated into her Bendigo run.”
Saturday Shapes Next Step
The Maher team backed its opinion of Angels Fury before her debut by buying her half-brother, by Spirit Of Boom, at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
“You want to back your judgement of what you see at home and to see it race day, even in a maiden, it’s very satisfying,” Turnbull commented.
“Hopefully we can continue because she has a lot of upside.”
Turnbull said a win at city level could force the stable to consider stronger races, although the plan remains measured.
“If she was to win on Saturday, being a city class race, you would have to consider going up in class, a Stakes race, but we’re one race at a time,” Turnbull advised.
“She’ll get there eventually, whether it’s this spring or the autumn.”
Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone claims 3kg, bringing Angels Fury down to 54.5kg. Official Victorian racing fields and results are available through Racing Victoria.
